Ho ho ho, but is this the sweetest holiday drop of the year? Imagine unwrapping a fresh Christmas gift from two of hip-hop's most festive talents—Chance the Rapper and Jeremih—just in time for the season. Their latest offering, a five-track EP titled Secret Santa, is making waves, but here's where it gets controversial: Could this be the holiday hit that redefines yuletide vibes in music, or are we just seeing more of the same festive formula? Stick around to dive into the details and decide for yourself.
December 25, 2025
[Jeremih and Chance the Rapper (Getty Images)]
In a year brimming with musical milestones, Chance the Rapper and Jeremih have once again brought some holiday cheer to fans with their brand-new five-track EP, Secret Santa. For those new to the scene, an EP is like a mini-album—shorter than a full-length release but packed with enough tracks to tell a cohesive story. This marks the dynamic duo's fourth official foray into Christmas-themed music, building on a tradition that's become a beloved annual surprise for their supporters. It all started back in 2016 with Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama, a delightful collection that blended soulful beats, catchy hooks, and heartfelt lyrics perfect for the holidays. If you're curious, you can check out Pitchfork's review of that original gem right here (https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22719-merry-christmas-lil-mama/).
But here's the part most people miss: The duo didn't stop there. They expanded the magic in 2017 with Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama: Re-Wrapped, adding more tracks to keep the festivities going, and again in 2020 with Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama: The Gift That Keeps on Giving, which included even more holiday joy to extend the celebration. Now, Secret Santa arrives as the latest chapter, dropping just on Christmas Eve for maximum impact. You can stream it for free over on SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/chancetherapper/sets/secret-santa/), where fans are already raving about its mix of uplifting rhythms and seasonal storytelling. For beginners wondering why this matters, collaborations like this often highlight how artists can reinvent familiar themes—think of Christmas music as that cozy sweater you pull out every winter, but with fresh embroidery each time.
This release couldn't come at a better time for Chance the Rapper, who has had an incredibly productive 2025. Just last August, he unleashed his first full-length album in six years, Star Line (reviewed here: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/chance-the-rapper-star-line/), a project that's been praised for its ambitious soundscapes and emotional depth. To top it off, he embarked on a sold-out tour that showcased his evolution as an artist, proving he's not just a holiday specialist but a force in the mainstream. As for Jeremih, his last major effort was 2018's MihTy, a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign that showcased his smooth vocals and R&B flair. It's fascinating how these two, known for their distinct styles—Chance's socially conscious rap and Jeremih's melodic charm—come together so seamlessly for these Christmas projects, almost like a musical holiday truce.
For a deeper look at their earlier work, don't miss Pitchfork's take on Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama: Re-Wrapped (https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/merry-christmas-lil-mama-re-wrapped/). And this is where it gets truly intriguing: While some fans adore how these artists keep the holiday spirit alive in hip-hop, others might argue that Christmas music should stick to classics like Bing Crosby or Mariah Carey, rather than getting remixed by rappers. Is it innovative or just novelty? Could Chance and Jeremih be pushing boundaries by infusing social commentary into festive tunes, or is this diluting the purity of the genre? I'd love to hear your thoughts—do you think modern artists have a place in holiday music, or should we keep it traditional? Drop your opinions in the comments below and let's discuss!
